I received a free eBook version of this title from NetGalley for review, and halfway through, I pre-ordered the hardcover edition because I know this is a book I will reference again and again. Toxic productivity can be driven by multiple factors like childhood experiences and societal expectations, but our culture tends to promote it as the key to success. An entire generation of burned out individuals are coming to realize the negative impact of placing this type of pressure on ourselves, but what's baffling is that many of us actively participate in self-care activities designed to combat the grind and still can't figure out why we're not feeling more rested and productive. Through Nasir's guidance, we can identify why these activities actually make things worse and what we can do to truly nourish ourselves and make effective progress towards our goals at the same time.

Nasir speaks from a place of experience, as she herself began a pattern of toxic productivity in childhood to combat her perceived inadequacies as an immigrant. Through experiencing burnout, she was able to recognize the mindset that was thwarting her ability to cope and take steps to reverse course. As she relates, even as she was writing this book she returned to some of her own self-defeating patterns and had to steer back onto the right path.

Nasir uses patient encounters to confirm that we are not alone in this challenge and it's quite common. For anyone who considers themselves driven and self-motivated but has felt like they are spinning their wheels, can never be enough, or may have lost interest in the things that once invigorated them, Nasir's prompts for internal reflection will be invaluable. We can step back and observe our lives from a distance and decide if our goals align with our values, and if so, what steps will allow us to realize those goals without compromising our physical health and mental wellness. Society needs this book right now to balance out the hustle culture that pervades our daily lives.

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

I saw this book on Netgalley at the right time while I was struggling with burnout and decided to request it. I am really glad I picked it up as it was full of helpful information and felt encouraging and inspiring. I liked how the author addressed toxic productivity and shared multiple techniques on how to address your toxic productivity thoughts as well as figure out where it came from.

Every chapter has it's own focus for something can can cause toxic productivity and had a summary at the end as well as some exercises you could do yourself. I liked this structure and it made it easy to read. There are also some stories of clients throughout the book which can help give insight into toxic productivity and it was inspiring to see how they dealt with things.

To summarize: I felt like I got a lot out of this book. It made me think and evaluate my own thoughts regarding productivity and where some of my toxic thoughts came from. I liked the encouraging and inspiring tone of the book. I am glad I read it and might re-read in the future even. I thought the book was informative and had a lot of great information. It was structured in a way that made it easy to read. I can definitely recommend this one!

Well, this is one of the rare cases when a self-help book actually surprised and amazed me!

First of all, it’s easy and well-written, yet not boring. The author keeps your attention well enough and the overall structure is greats

Second, it’s really relatable and sometimes… too personal? Like okay, I know it, stop calling me in that 😅. But is what makes this book so great!

Lastly, I want this book I paper and I want it translated into Ukrainian!

Overall, thanks to #netgalley for providing me with this opportunity! Kudos to the author and publisher - for bringing a good book to the market

Israa Nasir's "Toxic Productivity" is a must-read for workaholics looking to break free from the burnout cycle. Nasir's relatable and insightful writing makes it easy to see how our obsession with constant productivity can harm our well-being. With practical tips and personal anecdotes, she guides readers toward a healthier balance between work and life. If you're tired of feeling overwhelmed and want to reclaim your time and energy, this book is the perfect guide to help you do just that. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a reminder that it's okay to slow down and take care of themselves.

We need more of this in today's culture and environment, just to remind us what is important and worth to be achieved.

Recently I was struggling with this persistent feeling of failure. This feeling that I wasn't doing enough or being productive enough every day so I really appreciate this book. It really shows how you can gain a healthier idea of what achievement is and what achievements you actually want rather than what society expects and then how you can reach goals that actually mean something to you without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Perfect for anyone who feels they aren't productive enough, aren't meeting societal standards or anyone who experiences burnout.